The Egg is a performing arts venue in Albany, New York. Named for its shape, the building was designed by Harrison & Abramovitz as part of the Empire State Plaza project, and built between 1966 and 1978. It is located in the northeast corner of the Plaza.[1] It has become an icon of New York's Capital District due to its unusual shape and central location. The Egg is owned by the state of New York and managed by the Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza Performing Arts Center Corporation[2] a not-for-profit that was created in 1979 to manage the performing arts facility in the Empire State Plaza.[3][4]
Construction of the facility was managed by the New York State Office of General Services (OGS). Upon completion, OGS assumed management of the facility operations as well, contracting with Porter Van Zandt, a Broadway director and former executive of The Acting Company to advise the agency.[6]
A public benefit corporation was created by an act of the legislature in 1979. The move was initially opposed by then-mayor Erastus Corning II, who feared he would have less control over it, though appointed representatives ensured that he remained involved.[7] The first executive of the corporation was Mark Tilley. After two tumultuous years, he was replaced by Patricia Snyder, founder and executive of the Empire State Youth Theatre Institute. Tasked with revamping programs and operations, she worked closely with noted composer Joe Raposo, who as Vice Chair of the board of directors, headed the programming task force.[8][9]
Under Synder's leadership, the facility was governed by a union of three organizations--the Egg's own purpose-built corporation, Snyder's youth theatre program, and the SUNY administration, a structure that was called "an administrative nightmare" by the Albany Times Union. Snyder oversaw a flourishing of youth theatre productions, to the detriment of a broader slate of programming. Her management style was criticized as opaque and combative.[10]
A 1987 report recommended dissolving the three-way structure to diversify the facility's programming, creating conflict between Snyder and several board members. The report criticized the organizational structure and Snyder's practices.[11] The factions feuded for a year. In 1988, a proposal brokered by local arts patron Lewis Swyer allowed the youth theatre program to continue at the Egg, while also expanding presentations.[12][13][14][15][16][17]
The three-way corporate entity formally split, with Snyder stepping down as executive of the Egg but remaining in charge of her theatre programs. The youth theatre company remained in residence at the facility, albeit with a reduced amount of usage amidst its own financial challenges, but new executive director Terry Lorden was hired to oversee the broader portfolio of activities. The three organizations fought over the division of assets.[18][19][20][21][22]
In 2017, the corporation had operating expenses of $1.96 million and a staffing level of 43 people.[23]
Structure
The structure was built over the course of 12 years, and was the final facility completed as part of the Empire State Plaza. Originally slated to take two years to build, the numerous arcs and complicated design features required uniquely delicate surveying and careful implementation, causing the project to take longer. It debuted to the public on Memorial Day in May 1978. Construction supervisor John Byron noted that the spherical shape was designed to bring people closer together, in contrast to traditional proscenium theaters that are generally square in orientation.[24]
The Egg is slightly inclined, and has a small pedestal on which it appears to sit. In fact, the building is held by a stem that goes down six stories into the Plaza. Attached to this stem is a concrete girdle that surrounds The Egg, enabling it to retain its shape and transmitting its weight to the pedestal.[1] The building's organic shape reflects Nelson Rockefeller's original goal of architectural design that uses the fine artistic elements of sculpture.[25]
In April 1978, the Empire State Youth Theatre Institute became the first resident company. Two years later, The Egg launched its first slate of full cultural programming, with a 10-month season of theatre, dance and other performing arts presentations.[26]
Since 1990, the Ellen Sinopoli Dance Company, a modern dance performing arts group, has been a resident company.[29] The Egg is also the summer home of the Ajkun Ballet Theatre, a New York City based professional company, since 2000.[citation needed]
The venue draws many performing acts to Albany, including music, dance, and traditional stage presentations.[citation needed]
In popular culture
The Egg is the subject of a song by They Might Be Giants, entitled "Albany", which was written for their 2004 Venue Songs compilation album.[30]
In 2013, Mike Gordon of Phish released a live album titled The Egg. The album was recorded live on December 11, 2011 at The Egg.[31]
The Egg is the setting for indie rock singer-songwriter Mitski's 2021 music video for the single "Working for the Knife".
^ abc"The Egg Architecture & History". www.theegg.org. Nelson A. Rockefeller Empire State Plaza Performing Arts Center Corporation. Retrieved 2008-07-06.
^Grondahl, Paul (September 7, 2007). Mayor Corning. Albany: State University of New York Press. p. 486. ISBN978-0-7914-7294-1. Retrieved 17 October 2024.
^Moynihan, Martin (March 6, 1988). "SOME FEATHERS ARE RUFFLING UNDER CALM SHELL OF THE EGG". Albany Times Union.
^Kelly, Martin P. (January 1, 1988). "SWYER'S ARTS WISH LIST IS AMBITIOUS". Albany Times Union.
^LeBrun, Fred (December 20, 1987). "POWER, EGO, OLD POLITICS AND THEATER". Albany Times Union.
^Moynihan, Martin (December 19, 1987). "BACKERS DEFEND THE EGG'S YOUTH THEATER". Albany Times Union.
^"SOME AVIAN ANALOGY FOR THE EGG; A SPLASH! AND A PREVIEW". Albany Times Union. November 22, 1987.
^Demaline, Jackie (March 12, 1988). "178 EVENTS INCLUDED IN ESIPA PROPOSAL". Albany Times Union.
^Ziomek, Maggie (October 1, 1988). "SNYDER WON'T REAPPLY FOR TOP POST". Albany Times Union.
^Quell, Brin (February 27, 1989). "SEARCH NARROWS FOR NEW ESIPA DIRECTOR". Albany Times Union.
^Quell, Brin (March 10, 1989). "YOUTH THEATER TO BE SEPARATED FROM ESIPA MAY FACE LARGER FUND CUT THAN OTHER PROGRAMS". Albany Times Union.
^Quell, Brin (May 10, 1989). "ESIPA BREAKUP SLOW AND PAINFUL". Albany Times Union.
^Moynihan, Martin (December 30, 1989). "DEATH, DISSOLUTION BROUGHT ABOUT CHANGE IN 1989 ARTS SCENE LEADERS MUSIC STAGE VISUAL ARTS FILM DANCE". Albany Times Union.
^Benjamin, Gerald; Hurd, T. Norman, eds. (1984). "The Builder". Rockefeller in Retrospect: The Governor's New York Legacy. Albany, NY: Nelson A. Rockefeller Institute of Govt. p. 90. ISBN0-914341-01-4. OCLC11770290.
^Moynihan, Martin (July 10, 1980). "'Egg' finally hatching with full schedule". The Knickerbocker News.
^Gray, James R. (March 24, 1980). "'Tavern' offers joyous toast to new Capital Rep". The Knickerbocker News.
^Gray, James R. (March 14, 1980). "New professional troupe starts its climb with debut at The Egg". The Knickerbocker News.
